Grab your smartphone to answer many common cooking questions.
Whenever I’m in the kitchen and especially when preparing a big meal, I rely on my smartphone to help me with meal preparation.
I’m not sure how my mother survived with the appendix of the classic Betty Crocker cookbook.
My Mom’s go-to source to answer cooking questions.
Even if you like to print out a recipe or grab a cookbook, you’ll still find your smartphone handy in the kitchen.
Need a substitution for buttermilk? High altitude baking instructions? Cooking times and temperature for your 20 pound turkey? There may be an app for some of these questions, but I can usually get my question answered quickly using a Google search.
Here are 7 great ways to use your smartphone in the kitchen:
1 - Setting a Timer
My hands are usually wet or dirty when it’s time to put something in the oven, so the best way to set a timer is to use Siri (Apple) or Google Now (Android).
Setting a timer using Siri on an iPhone.
2 - Setting Multiple Timers
For bigger meals, when I need to coordinate multiple recipes, I use an app that sets multiple timers.
Timer+ App
3 - Finding Cooking Times for Meat and Poultry
There are plenty of grilling apps out there, but it’s hard to find a free app that shows you cooking times. For this task, I rely on a Google search.
Google search for cooking instructions.
4 - Finding Ingredient Substitutions
Have you ever been ready to start a recipe only to discover you don’t have buttermilk? You don’t have to run out to the store, just do a Google search for suggested substitutions.
Google search for ingredient substitutions.
5 - Converting Kitchen Measurements
Have you ever had a recipe that calls for 6 oz of liquid and wondered if that was a half or a third of a cup? Or had a recipe that has flour in ounces? I use a Google Search for these types of questions.
Google search for converting kitchen measurements.
6 - Changing Recipe Size
Sometimes you want to divide or multiply a recipe, which is easy for simple recipes. But what if you need to change the pan size? A quick Google search will give you great information.
Google search for changing recipe size.
7 - High Altitude Baking Adjustment
Since I live at 9,000 ft elevation in Colorado, I need to adjust recipes when baking. I can never remember the exact adjustments, but a quick google search provides just what I need.
Google search for high altitude baking adjustments.
You can also ask Siri (Apple) or Google Now (Android) many of these questions, but I find that Google provides better, more accurate results.
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